Combined Corona/Catalyst Process for Low-Temperature NOx Control

Both catalysis and corona discharge are known to be separately capable of effecting the oxidation of NO to NO2 or higher. However, both have shortcomings in practical application: The power required for high efficiency NO oxidation using corona can be excessive, and most catalysts require high temperature to be effective and they are capable of oxidizing NO only to the NO2 level which is not soluble or reactive enough to be easily removed from the carrier gas. The proposed concept takes advantage of a synergy between catalysis and corona chemistry to oxidize nitrogen oxides to the higher oxide level of N2O5 which is highly soluble in water and easily removed from the carrier gas at high efficiency. It is effective at low temperatures, its cost is low, and its energy requirement is low because of the aforementioned synergy. Successful development will result in a system that will satisfy the Air Force objectives for NOx control and be suitable for non-Air Force NOx control applications as well.